November 20, 2024
By Ramona du Houx
BAKU, Azerbaijan — With a president-elect climate denier poised to occupy the White House on January 20, 2025 lawmakers across the country are gearing up to protect the climate policies and actions that have been taken, and to progress their plans of a clean energy future.
At a COP29 press conference hosted by The Center for Biological Diversity, representatives from four states shared news of recent climate accomplishments, what they are working on, and views of the future.
“What state governments in the US do to address climate change matters. California is the world’s 5th largest economy and New York is the 10th. As these and other states implement intelligent climate policy they will show the rest of the US that these investments are not only good for the economy, but they are better for air quality, for public health, in short better for everyone. They will also strongly influence the investments of major business leaders in the US regardless of who is in the White House,” said Barry Vesser, moderator and Chief Operations Officer of The Climate Center.
Dept of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said at COP29 during its first week of sessions that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which is America’s biggest climate investment in history has already created 900 new factories in the US, representing 400,000 jobs. By the end of the year 60 GW of new clean energy will be developed from IRA investments.
A huge segment of the United States remains committed to ambitious climate goals regardless of who is in the White House. With businesses investing billions in the build out of clean energy across America — with the aid of incentives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, IRA and the CHIPS and Science Act — their influence to keep these federal benefits going should hold weight in Washington D.C.
The IRA alone provides over $369 billion in tax breaks, incentives, grants, and loan guarantees that are helping mitigate the climate crisis by building a clean energy-based economy. Over 81 percent of these IRA investments were made in states with a Republican majority. They have proven to be extremely good for the growth of local economies.
“Governor Gavin Newsom is convening a special legislative session next month to ‘safeguard California values and fundamental rights.’ Those rights include the right to breathe clean air, drink clean water and to live healthy lives with equity and equality for all. The climate crisis is a threat to our rights. That’s why our state has made strides forward in our transition off of fossil fuels to 100 percent clean energy, said California Assemblymember Matt Haney, 17th District, Majority Whip. (photo to the left above) “Clean energy manufacturing companies have expanded and/or started up operations in our state because of the federal and state investments in clean energy. We have proven investments in clean energy creates jobs and helps our economy flourish while it protects our citizens. We have a plan to invest $180 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years to benefit every community fight carbon pollution– especially disadvantaged communities. We won’t allow our progress to be halted.”
California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot also delivered a message last week saying California is committed to stay the course on climate plans.
Dr. Pat Spearman, (right photo above) a Nevada State Senator, Retired US Army Lt. Colonel, Veteran, and a member of the Elected Officials to Protect America National Climate Emergency & Energy Security Task Force. The goal of the Task Force is to mobilize lawmakers in disadvantaged communities, corporate and government financing, businesses and NGOs on the ground who have proven climate solutions to equitably implement climate opportunities offered by the Inflation Reduction Act. She spoke of how the IRA is helping communities who need the assistance the most as well as key investments made.
“In Nevada we are at ground zero in the climate crisis with water insecurity and heatwaves that threaten the lives and livelihoods of thousands, especially in communities that have been underserved and over polluted. With Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding we’ve started to right some of the injustices in communities that have been overlooked for too long just because they have the wrong zip code. But the climate crisis has eroded key infrastructure in these communities and they need the IRA funding to continue for the long-term results could be even more devastating,” said Pat Spearman, Former Nevada State Senator, President Pro-Tempore. “The White House estimates that private companies, spurred by IRA incentives, have poured $10 billion into the electric vehicle, battery and clean-power industries in my state. Nearly 20,500 clean-energy jobs have been announced in Nevada since the law’s passage, primarily in the battery sector. More clean-energy jobs have been created in Nevada since the IRA’s passage than all but six states. We’re used to fighting for policies to protect our people from the danger of the climate crisis. It’ll prove difficult dismantling key provisions of the law, as a lot of businesses are taking advantage of the IRA incentives.”
America’s South West is embroiled in a historic drought. Yet extraction of fossil fuels from New Mexico’s section of the Permian Basin has increased since Putin invaded Ukraine. With an oil cartel friendly administration that is expected to get worse.
“In New Mexico, with our climate champion Governor, we will fight to keep the Inflation Reduction Act and other key investments that are growing our economy and helping the lives and livelihoods of people who need it the most. From new manufacturing plants located in New Mexico, to low-income communities powering their homes with solar power, the IRA is helping us fight the climate crisis and bringing jobs and relief to thousands. States are the flag barriers of democracy. We will stand strong to protect our state from any threats to dismantle our progress,” said New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero, House Parliamentarian.
Representative Romero (photo to the left below) is a defender of water resources, the environment and underserved populations, immigrant rights, and survivors of sexual violence. She is also a member of Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) New Mexico Leadership Council, actively working to phase out fossil fuels in the state to ensure New Mexico transitions to 100 percent clean energy.
Rep. Romero talked about the new Arcosa wind turbine manufacturing center, the largest solar cell and panel manufacturing center in the country in Mesa del Sol that was a $1 billion investment and is creating 1,800 jobs, and a manufacturing center in Albuquerque that will produce cables for electric utilities grid resiliency efforts. Additionally she said that $156 million from the IRA Solar for All program to New Mexico will increase solar access for more than 21,000 households in communities too often left behind.
State Senator Joe Nguyễn (photo to the right) is a leader in Washington state’s clean energy transition, championing policies like the Climate Commitment Act and investments in renewable energy, Electric Vehicle infrastructure, and grid modernization. As Vice Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, he prioritizes bold, equitable climate action, demonstrating how states can lead on decarbonization when federal progress stalls.
“The Climate Commitment Act is providing tremendous benefits for the people of Washington – helping limit carbon pollution and enabling investments in energy efficiency, environmental protection, clean transportation, and so much more. We all know Washington State can’t stop climate change all on our own – investments from the IRA to reduce carbon pollution and support a green, sustainable economy have been a boost to all our efforts,” said State Senator Joe Nguyễn. “Our governor-elect, Bob Ferguson, who is currently our attorney general, said his legal team has been preparing for months for the possibility of a second Trump term.
That endeavor included a “line-by-line” review of Project 2025, the 900+ page policy blueprint drafted by the president-elect’s conservative allies.
There are other initiatives underway to safeguard progress and protect democracy.
Governors J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) and Jared Polis (D-CO) are co-chairmen of the alliance Governors Safeguarding Democracy, was recently announced. They are a “nonpartisan alliance of governors that works together to uphold and fortify American democracy.”“We strengthen the foundations of American democracy by catalyzing collaboration across state lines. Working together, we leverage the collective strength, experience, and institutional knowledge in governors’ offices across the country to craft laws and policies that protect the rule of law and serve the people of our great states,” the alliance said on its website.